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bibluepolar
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I just started on Lamictal, I am so scared. Once these doctors put you on one medication, then they have to put you on another just to help that one. I don't want the side effects, and the bull crap. I have been having some anxiety( a terrible attack last night) and I was wondering once you get set on this medication, lamictal, has it really helped ? I think sometimes it works, sometimes not enough. How do we get positive about trying to find the right meds? Im scared what it'll do to me. Make me not real or something. Advice? |
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bipolarmomma
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Most meds take at very minimum of a week or two to stabilize your moods. I take lamictal and have found that it works for me. Side effects are something you will deal with any medication not just bipolar meds. Also remember a large population of bi polar do need multiple meds. A antimanic med, mood stabililzer, and usually something for anxiety. My advice as to how to stay positive while going through the med cycle, is to remember that we have all gone through it. As to making you feel not real, as long as you have open communication with your pdoc, you should be able to talk to him/her and see what they recommend. BE BLESSED!
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moody
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Meds are different for everyone. It is to me, one of the most frustrating parts of contending with this illness, especially until you get the right combo of meds for you. For me, I found lamictal to work well, but I had to go through the process of them not working and having the dosage increased to 400mg. I haven't had side effects with it, but that doesn't mean you won't. Again, each one of us is different. I understand your fears because I know that I struggled with even calling my pdoc each time I was cycling because of not wanting more meds to be prescribed. I had to come to the realization that until I get balanced and not in severe mood swings, I can't even begin to try and manage this disease and I had to accept that meds are key in managing this disease. I don't like the cycles, although I love the mania, it's no longer worth it to me because the depression is brutal. I literally feel insane when I'm depressed. My mind is so clouded and all I can think about is how worthless life is. I am willing to deal with the meds in order to limit a down cycle. Fortunately I have found a doctor who just doesn't push more pills on me. He really works with me to try and figure out what triggered a cycle and it's not always neccessary for a meds change. The only meds change that I've had in the past year or so, is an increase in Lexapro, which really helped me out of a horrible depression and now I feel level again. It's like trying to find the right mix of meds for each one of us and the chemical inbalance in our brains. There is no one solution for this disease. You have to be willing to try and work with your pdoc to get the right mix for you. I know that's not easy to do but believe me, when you get the right mix, and the cycling reduces, and you can feel balanced, it's all worth it. At least that is how I feel.
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MsBimbo
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Hi! Are you taking the build-up intro pack? Ive been on 25mg. for two weeks, 50 mg for less than a week, and will begin the 100mg in about 1 1/2 weeks. My p doc says there is a sideeffet of this med which is quite strong. It is a nasty rash which can be very serious. That's why the increase is so slow. I'm running on only two of my eight pistons now and cannot run very well at all. I've tried several mediciations and am willing to keep trying until I get soemthiing which works! Takce care, msbimbo MsBimbo |
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bibluepolar
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 Hey ms. bimbo, That is exactly what I am taking. The thing about the rash is exactly what the doc told me as well. It could get very serious but he said that it is very rare. I've noticed this last day, that this medication is starting to really make me feel sane. I guess we have to allow things to just take time. Time heals everything, right? Even though I fear meds because of the side effects, like others say, we should allow time and be patient- because it will get better. I'll keep you informed on how it makes me feel, and u do the same. Good news is I havent' seen a rash.  |
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amyshol
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I just began the starter kit, too. I'm only on the first week as I just started last week. Haven't noticed any changes yet, good or bad. Amy |
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bibluepolar
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I have noticed some days when I take Lamictal that I have this sortof Up-pity good feeling but not quite a high feeling like mania or anything and somedays I get sortof tired to where I nap and then once I take a nap im up again. For the most part, so far in it's early stages of taking the meds it's made me pretty level. But some times It's like I feel good and then I come down off from it and I can feel the depression setting in alittle again. but Im still trying to get use to the meds and Im not sure if thats just all in my head either. Like I've said before, these things take time to really know for sure.
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carmen33
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Hi, Bibluepolar, I too am on lamictal, just started the 150mg's today, I found a good site for checking on all the side effects and interactions of your medications,http://www.drugs.com/ I entered everything I was taking on the interaction checker that you will find the link too on the left side of the home page, all my med's have moderate risk of interactions, the lamictal comes with a information sheet that were it single sided letter size paper would be about 7 pages long.. As everyone has said, it takes a while to get to your maintenance dosage, and there are side effects with just about anything you can put in your body, as long as you are aware as to what to look for, then you should be ok, just if you notice anything that has you worried, call your doctor or pharmacy and tell them about it. Carmen |
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aaa106
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I am on the starter pack to, and i just started the 200 mg a day. I do feel like it is slowed me down, and I feel like I am moving in slow motion. My therapist said that is good, and that it is just my mind not racing so much, which is a good thing. And since I haven't had any bad manic episodes, I feel like I am boring, which sounds weird, but I am use to a lot more going on. I know, though, that is a good thing to. I didn't get a rash, but I was informed that it was a possible side effect. When I first started it, I did feel groggy and tired. The last week or so, I have woke up late at night and my heart is just racing, and I don't go back to bed, and I don't feel tired. So, I go to the pdoc tommorrow for my check up so I will tell him about that. Anyway, for the most part, it makes me a little more in control of my emotions, and it helps me focus a lot better. |
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MsBimbo
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Yes aaa106, that's the key getting our minds back from the runaway brain train! I can say I, too felt sleepy right after takng my 25mg dosages, so I began to take them immediately when I'd head to the toilet on those early mornings before being ready to really wake up. Then, I could drowse back to my bed until it was time to really wake up. I do feel more refreshed in the mornings now I'm taking the trazadone pm and lamictal am. I'm learning to slow down and give my poor mind and body a break from the harried pace of mania. Sure, I feel a bit slower, but that's just an effect we see when we are no longer going light-speed in the 25 mph zone! I'm trying to respect others in that they will probably never have the chance to be a 'Super Woman' as I have been, but thank God they don't have to. I'd rather muddle along with the more healthy pace of life and enjoy the tidbits of joy which befall me! (Like multiple hugs and group hugs!) My p doc says maintenance should be about 200mg for me on the lamictal. I really appreciate the sharing of such intimate details of each of your medication response and feelings about it all. It is encouraging as well as re-enforcing the proper attitude towards what it good for me. Today, I could do better with keeping my thought together a little bit longer, so there's hope, right?! God Bless you all! MsBimbo |
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